I have been readin everyones posts in this thread and I soooo agree that we all need to feel nice , it makes te task at hand soooo much easier IMO . But , I do not think it is always about splurging and spending money . I for one can admit that I cannot spen that kind of money on myself for the hair and nails and all . I have three small children and they need things , I always seem to put myself last . However , what I have found that helps me , that doesnt really cost much money ..........I make myself get up and get dressed into jeans and a decent shirt , put on a little makeup and actually just do my own hair . I find that even if I am sitting home with kids , that extra effort that I put into myself , makes me hae alittle more pride . Its easy to slip and eat just alittle of thi or alitle of that when you are bummin around it crappy sweats ......I dont know if this will help anyone ( who like me doesnt have the money to splurge ) . This is a splurge of my time , but the results of spending the time to look nice , make me feel nice .

I agree. When I get up in the morning, get dressed and get myself ready to face the day, I do so much better with my eating than if I'm having a sloth day.

wow kind of feel like i'm being attacked? just a little but i can understand where everyone is coming from.
Maybe I should have given more background on where I'm coming from. I have two children, and a husband who for the past few years have received all of my attention, every second of the day......
And it took me to this point, of wanting to take care of myself physically, to start wanting to also do more for myself.
And in terms of spending...I'm a spend thrift.
It's just that in the past all of my $$ has gone to things for them while the only $ i ever spent on myself was for food....my "treats" to myself would be going to the mall for a meal, going to the market to buy my favorite junk foods....that type of thing!
I had almost lost myself and forgot to do things which made me happy OTHER than food.....
so i was just sharing that to anyone who also found that they lost a little of themselves....
this may not apply to you....but when i was younger and much smaller, YES, i didn't mind spending an extra $50 a week on myself.....
i'm not talking $1000s of dollars here.....
but carry on.....

I'm sorry that you feel attacked.

Your original post seemed to me to be a suggestion to everyone ("anyway I have some advice that I would like to share with you all, and this advice may cost you but i recommend budgeting it out"), and probably that's why some responses said "no, that doesn't work for me."

It's great that you've found incentives that work for you.

I decided a long LONG time ago that I would NEVER "let myself go" - so even when I'm "dis-enjoying fat time" I am still taking care of my hair, my skin, dress nice & wear jewelry & do my nails (peddy & manny!) and so forth. Being fat is icky & uncomfortable & very very unhealthy... but it doesn't cancel out looking your best, IMHO!

I just spent $300 on capris & skorts & sleeveless blouses for the spring/summer season. There was a big sale, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE skorts! Can't find them much anymore! - so there they were, all lonely on the rack... and there I was, with a checkbook & a pen.... so......

saturday i slipped into a pair of pants that i bought when my daughter was first born. i haven't been able to even get them over my thighs, it was a tad tight but felt great that i could button them up

I love skorts too. Target had a bunch of cute ones a few years back and I stocked UP. I feel all cute wearing what looks like a short skirt, but I don't have to deal with the fear of showing the world what I've got. It's a win/win!

Senderapproach - please don't feel attacked. I think a lot of us totally agreed with you, but acknowledged that there are ways to treat yourself that are a little more economical, if you don't have the budget for "professionally done" pampering.

Here's a suggestion for some personal pampering that doesn't have to cost money. Make an appointment at a local beauty counter (Merle Norman, Clinique) and get a make-over. You don't have to buy anything and since there are various cosmetic lines you could "treat" yourself sever times.

Absolutely!!! - I do my own manicures & pedicures - I've been doing my own nails since I was in 6th grade. Occasionally I get a "professional mani/pedi" ... but to be honest, they don't do a better job than I do, and it's waaaayyyyy cheaper if I do it myself. Also, when I'm feeling "in the need" for clothes, especially during those times when I've lost or gained weight & I really can't afford to shop, I have no shame in going somewhere such as Goodwill or other 2nd hand stores. I often find GREAT BUYS there! - many times, brand new clothing at a fraction of the price, simply because Aunt Betty didn't know niece Sally's taste or size or whatever.... I once spent about $55 in a 2nd hand store & walked out with 24 outfits that were NOT "2nd hand".

Sometimes it's all in how you work it!

Just wanted to quickly reply and say that I was not trying to "attack" anyone . I was just simply stating that we can do things for ourselves without spending money because , I for one , and I am sure I am not alone , do not have the money for beauty salon and manicures weekly . I made the choice to only work part tim to be home with my kids during the day and so I have to go without some things that if I worked fulltime would not be a problem . I think that we all need to feel beautiful and everyone has a different way of feeling that . No one is wrong , just different choice is all .

Senderapproach - I understand the heart of your suggestion and I think your ideas are great. I guess the bottom line is appreciating the journey and enjoying who you are TODAY. Pampering yourself is a great way to look your best at any size. I tend to dress like a "slouch" when I'm unhappy with my weight ... trying to hide the added pounds behind extra fabric and not in the mood for a mani/pedi.

I generally reward myself using some of your ideas. And sometimes I take the inexpensive/free route and reward myself with a new book, visit or lunch with a friend or bubble bath with a ridiculous amount of bubbles.

takeing care of your self helps you keeping loseing wt. and never forget to reward your self. I think if you have mini goals and rewards it helps. it does not have to cost a lot of $$$ just a little something to say I DID IT